Contemplates Life at a Temple

I find myself hurrying to finish projects, favors, and gifts to people I care about, and also for the sake of my undying sense of honor.  

I only have a week left since I decided to take the scholarship that was offered last month that will take me to a temple in Bacolod and live there studying Buddhism and other things like calligraphy and Buddhist etiquette regarding living a simple life. Not to mention the delicious vegetarian food in there that I can eat. Finally eating healthy! 

Despite having the opportunity to decline and simply get on with my life and just follow what I have laid out for myself this year, I would still grab this opportunity.  

It's definitely something I've always wanted to go to but since I chose to focus on my solo show,the single most important thing that I've been working on, everything not related to my solo debut has been nothing but a distraction. 

This one is different because aside from getting in as a scholar, it can teach me in so many ways that may even help create better artworks in the future. 

I just know that I'll come out of this a better person. 

The many projects I have will then have to wait.

I also want to go to Tibet someday and I would like to go there not as tourist but someone who studied the ways of Buddha. 

I believe in fate. Everything seems to fall into place.

Short Travels on Two Wheels and a Million Things to be Sad About

A biker on a corner of a huge painting, a Siopao vendor riding a
vintage bike, I think.

September is here and I did a little bit of travelling where I get to see art. I have been using my bike as far as I could but had to commute all the way to Angono. I sort of regret coming all the way there but it was because I had to help a friend in need of someone to fix their roof and ceiling not to mention she's been depressed and been wanting to kill herself since June. I thought that going there might alleviate the misery and ease a little bit of pain even if it were environmentally, like the ceiling that has been leaking. Unfortunately, I realized that it was a bad idea and found myself trapped in a rather unpleasant situation.

Apparently, depression has always been a puzzling subject for me and I wonder how people stay sad for a very long time. It must be tiring to think about killing oneself every now and then and to be sad that it gets in the way of routine or normal human functions. It must also be very mind-exhausting to think about the shitty things that happened to one's life and sulk about it. When that happens to me I usually get mad and try to avoid situations but I don't normally act on it.
It doesn't mean I haven't been sad or depressed, I have been sad and depressed but I don't let it last for weeks or months. I do get heartbroken because I know I lay my heart too often and it may last for a while but it doesn't mean I'll stop functioning or stop living. I always try to find things that will make me happy or find a way to be happy doing mundane things. Merely existing is not enough, one must live and provide meaning to the void that one has because it will not come and fill itself up on its own. Too often than not doing leisure hedonistic things actually gets me down, what's really rewarding and fulfilling is to create things that reflect parts of my soul and hopefully, I would get to live by it and earn just enough to survive.
My friend said she has been crying herself to sleep and thought that death is a sweet release. There have been shitty things that happened to her recently that she couldn't bare accept it.

It was a huge inconvenience for me and I have wasted time, effort, and money doing so.
The commute to Angono from Cubao was a grueling ordeal, I don't know how these people do it each day.
It was like being in a container van with strangers, ready to be trafficked across the border except for the very loud ghetto music that the jeeps going there play on end. No wonder my friend is depressed.

For the sake of our friendship I decided to just go ahead with it and just look at the positive side of things.

As a consolation, I decided to visit Pinto Art Musem for the second time and see what new art works they have in store. Since my friend have no idea how to travel around her province, we have wasted an hour and a half going around to Antipolo and spent a few more bucks. It really pays to know one's province.

At the Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo. It was a breath taking 25 ft by 10 ft
painting, at least the approximation of the size.

A pocket 2014 planner I bought for 20 bucks

I told my friend that she might enjoy getting a hobby like biking in order to get her mind off her sorrow. She said she could use it to travel back and forth Manila but I noticed she's not so into it. But as one can see, the beauty of bike is undeniable and there're art to prove it so. It is one of the hobbies that I would like to keep and share with friends.

I've tried my best to cheer her up and tell her that sadness is just a state-of-mind but she argued that she's having a mental illness which results to depression. In the end, there was nothing I could have done, she'd be sad either way.

I'm very happy about what I discovered and to set aside the ordeal I had to go through. I'm just glad I got home and was welcomed by hungry kitties who have been waiting for my return. Although finding out that my family ate one of my chickens while I was a way made me sad for a bit, I'm just not that sad enough.

As for depression, people are going to be depressed because they unknowingly keep themselves depressed. They kept on thinking about the sad thing that happened and they chose not to move on. There are in fact at least a million things to be sad about and the list doesn't end but we can provide a few things to get people down and experience agony even just momentarily.
Which I will then discuss on my next entry because I don't want to make reading this entry awfully long and might trigger depression to some.

Adopt a Pitbull with CARA Philippines

A pitbull contemplates a forever home.

More than a year ago there were more than 200 pitbulls rescued from a dog-fighting syndicate where they were mistreated and forced to fight to death with one another. Dog fights were then caught on webcam as online gamblers bet on their mishaps. They were bred in a terrible environment and were raised for terrible reasons, to please the gambler's lust for carnage. Some of them died of sickness and were unable to go on living a normal dog's life after a very traumatizing experience, those who survived suffered irreversible damages, intellectually, emotionally and physically.

This is Bailey, she has serious issues where she tends
to lick her cage ceiling every time someone approaches her.
She was used as a dummy for pitbulls in training where her
snout was taped and her teeth were filed so she won't be able
to fight back or harm the dogs attacking her. It made her socially
retarded and awkward towards any living creature.
She's not ready to be adopted yet, through dog
psychoanalysis and therapy, she will be. For now,
healing her physical wounds is priority, hence the silver nipples.

My visit to the rescue center was prepared and I did all the paper works before hand, I came in as an adopter and would like to give one of these dogs a forever home in Sta Rosa. The trip to Tiaong Quezon was smooth on a Sunday morning where traffic was very cooperative.

The many adoptable pit-bulls fighting for the visitor's
attention through barking, puppy eyed glares, and tail wagging.

Adopters will get to know the dogs better through volunteering their time at the center and also by bonding with their dog of choice.

This one caught my eye because of her beautiful coat and charms.
She got me at "ARF ARF ARF!"

Adopting one of the dogs here requires total commitment and preparedness for the responsibility at hand. It's like wooing a person. I am willing to cross seven mountains and give a day of my week for a dog whom I'm willing to give a forever home. It's hard work, but I know it's worth it. Knowing the dog's personality and behavior can't be done in a single visit, just like Rome was not built in a day.

Let's start with giving her treats and a walk with an interview
"What are your interests?"
"What do you think about interplanetary travel?"
"Do you like cats?"

Volunteer work consists mostly of giving the 164 dogs a walk and giving them baths, at least that's the more active things to do. Observing them and checking out if something's wrong with them is also part of it. There aren't a lot of volunteers and CARA is looking for people who are willing to give their time for these poor dogs.
It's a great way to spend a Sunday and can be done with friends or family. Volunteering here is a satisfying activity that's definitely worthwhile.

This is one of the most aggressive pitbulls in the center. He should never
be approached and is considered to be very dangerous. I think I like him.
He has a nice dark coat as dark as his past and has a look reserved for
grandma-rapers.

Pitbulls are loving dogs who are loyal to the point that they'd do
anything for their masters, even so to kill off another creature of
their race. Their master's happiness is their happiness.

It's terrible that these dogs were raised to kill off the next dog
they bump fur with. It's twisted and had thwarted their
chance at a meaningful dog to dog connection.

Adopt a Laguna pitbull and give these poor creatures
a chance to live in a caring environment where it is safe.
Some dogs are not adoptable yet because they are still sick physically
or must recover from their PTSDs.

Buying a dog or a cat is a shame but adopting an animal
is a gallant and respectable deed. It helps so much in abolishing animal
exploitation in many ways.

I walked three dogs and checked out a group of dogs as part of the volunteer work, the walking part was a bit tiring as I tried running with the dogs to see if they were fit for jogging along with. The dogs were harmless but my shirt and pants were not spared of mud as one of the dogs kept lunging at me with excitement.

These dogs enjoy having visitors because they don't really get a lot of people visiting on them.
For those who wish to volunteer or have inquiries with regards to volunteering, they can email: volunteeratlpb@gmail.com
For those who wish to adopt can email: adopt.a.lpb@gmail.com
Donations are also welcome! Visit http://helpsavethepitbulls.com

Repainted Bike with Wooden Parts

Touched by Midas 

It took me a while to really finish painting and letting the paint dry and it really dries very very slow but I'm happy with the result.
I went ahead and made wooden handle bar grips and wooden pedals. The next thing on my list is the wooden chain-guard and the wooden handle bar for my newly bought mountain bike frame. The basket and trunk at the back is on their way to creation.

Guijo Pedal Popsicle Style
I applied some transparent grips used in longboards
No varnish yet

Trying the alignment out even without the shape yet

Mahogany Handlebar Grips

Eventually, I would like to create a wooden bike with my own design. Though I've seen bamboo bikes roaming around the metro, it's not a new thing. Bamboo bikes have very limited styles as opposed to the designs that I want to create. Solid wood still proves to be a more flexible option.

I don't need a very expensive bike, I prefer to assemble and create the parts myself. I feel that it's more satisfying and really shows my character while at the same time saves me a lot of cash!

My bike is still far from what Gucci sells but it's MOINE!! All MOINE!

I am now ready for some long bike rides then picnic and wine afterwards.

Repainting my Japanese Cruiser Bike Part 1 Updated

Hanging the bike frame to dry after spraying the third coating of primer.

I'm taking a holiday for myself and won't be doing any work for a while. My artworks would have to wait just a bit and writing too as I have decided to just restore a rather beat up Jitensha vintage cruiser bike.

One of the reasons why I preferred buying a used bike is that I can customize it the way I want to and I started with stripping the old paint that has been chipping away and thankfully, the frame has no rust despite being decades old.
The main reason why I bought a used one is that I don't have much of a budget and it's definitely a steal for its price.

I'm rather becoming obsessed with my new cruiser bike which I take as a healthy and fun obsession.
I started repainting today while yesterday was spent stripping paint and cleaning out old rusted parts with a solution that removes rusts. I also bought new bike parts to replace the old ones.

Decided to paint this one too.

Having a cruiser bike is not very popular for young people around here and I only seem to see them being used by laborers and working mom's in my area, I didn't see much of this in Metro Manila but people don't understand the elegance and nostalgia that this type of bike has. Everyone seems to clamor over mountain bikes with brand names all over them or bikes that cost for at least P50,000.

Audrey Hepburn riding a cruiser bike with a straight
step-through

These bikes are considered romantic and has that style and charm that not all bikes possess, it provides a lot of space for customization but still retain flair with its simple design. Perfect for casual bikers like me.

After the primer, the color is added. Now it's just waiting
for the top coat.

Unfortunately it started raining and I was not able to finish painting important parts of the bike like the frame because it takes at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. I had to stop and wait and hope for a sunny tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I certainly enjoyed painting the bike, it's rather expensive to have them repainted in bike shops s0 I'm happy that I bought a compressor a year ago. It's various uses never cease to impress me. Now I'm able to do it on my own.
Repainting the bike is also a good recreational activity for me as it took my mind off a lot of things.
Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be able to finish painting everything and can start making the wooden handlebar grips, boxes, and box carrier.

Updates:

Repairing the nicks of the fenders with automotive putty

Even the smallest parts were air brushed with the color I
chose. After spraying the color it is then followed by
several layers of the top and final coating.

I decided to repaint the bike the way they repaint cars, a complete and meticulous process that I won't compromise. The weather wasn't as cooperative as I wanted it to be so up to now, everything is hanging to dry and would wait for three days to make sure the paint has dried properly. The next activity on my list is to start bushing the frame of the bike.

Hanged the bike parts on our clothes rack

Nakakatamad na Wala Pang Pera

Walang Magawa, Ngiti na lang

What is this affliction? There are so many things that should be done like start creating and finishing artworks, cleaning up the studio, cleaning up my newly bought bike, clean up the house, and yet I couldn't find the energy to move and it's the same with my friend who needs to finish illustrating and submitting artworks as well. Not really to make matters worse, I have spent all my cash as I bought a new bike and spent it on buying materials for projects. Pretty much I'm grounded in Laguna at my own accord.

I have food and all my needs it's just that I can't seem to know which one to do or what to do at all.

Me: Anong tawag dito? Sa pakiramdam na ayaw mong gumawa at higit sa lahat wala ka pang pera?
Zeus: Bwiset! Bwiset and tawag dyan!

Got for a good price, just need to change the V-brakes and spruce up a few
accessories.

Finally bought a new bike without breaking the bank. A vintage ladies bike that still seems pretty good and will give me a few more years of pleasure riding. Will do some repainting since I'm getting tired of red, perhaps bronze or copper. 

Another great project for a bike. Wooden handlebars! I've always wanted to do a project like this.

Sunday Sweet Solitude

Second breakfast. Matcha Green Tea, Water, French Toast & Pandesal
and Suman

Sunday is my favorite day, it has that sort of tranquility that I can’t achieve anywhere else. Ever since I went back to Laguna I’ve always wanted to stay there on Sundays.

It’s just not the same when I spend it somewhere else.

I try to visit my grandmother on Sunday mornings, walking to her place and have a quick breakfast there around 6am. My grandmother wakes up at 2-3am and does her lifetime work of cooking, at 78 she seems rather strong.

Walking back makes me hungry again so I eat a second breakfast. Eating a lot in the morning makes me eat less in the evening.

There is bliss in staying at home on a Sunday, while opening a can of cat food for 6 meowing cats, washing clothes, and sweeping the front yard of dried fallen leaves to feeding the chickens roaming around the house.

 

The dried roses are looking good after a week of hanging.

If things go well and I feel like interacting with people I simply walk to friends’ houses and have coffee with them in the afternoon, to talk about things that makes sense and things that doesn't, otherwise I just call friends on the phone. If I don’t feel like seeing a living soul I watch the Hannibal TV series or Dexter or some movie or read a book. 

I've come to realize that as I grow old, routine seems very important and I tend to hate it when my schedule is a bit disturbed. Nonetheless, it's a good Sunday to do some house chores and to relax in the triumph when all of it were done in the afternoon.