Of Camaraderie, Cocktails, Beers, and Cheers

Last night, we were at Tiendesita's for some quality time with my cousins who will be returning to the US. Being a moody, lazy and sometimes anti-social me, I was having doubts if I should go with them or not.

Seriously, the day before last night, I had some spontaneous skin allergy which required me to take an anti-histamine hence I feel so drugged and weak after waking up. And it didn't stop there, oh no, all throughout the day I was so sleepy and my actions were slow that some people might think I was having manifestations of Alzheimer's. Early-onset Alzheimer's. Yikes! 

Anyway, I pushed myself to join them even though I don't feel like going. You know that feeling where everyone pushes you into something you don't like? That's the feeling. My persistent Mom keeps insisting I go with them since this might be the last time I could bond with them for they will fly back by the 12th of May.

That was in a short notice because I only knew that we were going to Tiendesita's after I jogged at around 6pm. I was thinking maybe I should just stay home and do more interesting stuff or maybe go out when midnight comes (tugsh, tugsh, tugsh, tugsh).

Hmmm...the choices a person has to make to maximize the most time on a weekend. This can really surface my critical thinking skills! Oh, great! Neuron fritters coming up!

The time we should leave is by 9pm. I still have a lot of time given the fact that I don't want to overdress anymore (I give my time and attention when clubbing at Malate) but since I think it wouldn't matter because, well, I know we won't dance there anyway and I can sense that cute boys will be near to non-existent. After taking a bath, I played the PS2 and grinded my thumbs. Hell, that was relaxing. Beating opponents to a pulp and not letting them see the life and light. I'm so evil!

By 7:30pm, I told them I don't want to join them, I was feeling really lazy to go out and the heat is different, like it won't let you go out and have fun. It's really just heat and no wind. Damn the weather nowadays. My insistent Mom keeps telling me that my cousins who are close to me will also join. I was thinking and mumbling.

By 8:00, while all of them were busy changing, I decided to take a left turn and join them. I told myself I don't want to spend my night in front of the computer and ogle at tech stuff, blogs, and porn. Heck, that's my lifestyle during weekdays! Weekends should be all about booze and getting loose. I immediately went upstairs to check what I can wear on a hot summer night, rummaged through my closet and chose a plain white shirt and plaid shorts. Cool. Ironed it, went down and changed.

By 9:30pm, my dad who picked my cousin and aunt in a condo in Rockwell arrived. I was sleepy but I'm still willing to go out. It's still early. I was back in the bathroom when he arrived, I took a bath again. Duh!

By 10:00pm, we were already at the place. Geez! I haven't seen the place for more than a couple of years already and I must say, I got lost just trying to check where the pet shops are. Me and my whack internal GPS.

Some of my relatives were already there getting drunk and eating all those horrible (at least for me) finger foods. Greasy, fat-laden and sky-high cholesterol infused. Gross. I wouldn't even touch those even if those were the last pieces of edible food on earth. Haha!

Just kidding. I may try one or two pieces.

In my family, the male species outnumber the female. Meaning it's a very macho, masculine, rough and rowdy set of family members. So I will always be one of the most quiet when it comes to gatherings and reunions. I guess this is a good thing although sometimes they think I'm too shy and don't get to interact with a lot of people much. But sometimes, I bring out my loud side, when I think it's safe to bring it out on the open. Call me a person who likes to play safe most of the time. And besides, most of them are homophobic. Yes, I don't want to tell them yet who I am because I know they will get discriminatory and derogatory. Even if I am already at the top of my game. That is a sad truth I have yet to face. But the good thing here is that I'm willing to strike the right notes when I'm already emancipated from my parents so that they could see how much I can grow as a person even though I have a different perspective from them, from most of them.   

At the venue, they were eating pork fritters and pork innards, they were laughing like pirates on a ship during a maiden voyage, they were punching and bumping each other like football players on a field, they were ridiculing each other that would make a girl cry, wail and walk away in vain. And I was there, being silent because I know alcohol and drunk straight men ain't a sight to behold.

They ordered a lot of alcohol! I can say that it's really a lot because even though the alcohol ban got implemented by midnight, some of them were still trying to finish off everything we ordered. It was funny seeing them trying to finish the beers and making fun of each other. Something I could appreciate in them.

At the beginning of the session, they ordered for San Miguel Light. Something to start the night right and get the fun rolling. Then some of my cousins felt that they weren't getting their much needed drunkenness and alcoholic hallucinosis so they opted to get a few bottles of Red Horse just to make sure that they'll be kicked in the right uh, parts? Anyway, they were more rowdy than before when they drank the Red Horse than the San Miguel Light. Straight men and their straight world. I can't seem to find an opening where to fit in or at least make a real connection with them.

San Miguel, check!

Red Horse, check!

Hey Guyrony, you're not drinking! A cousin of mine told me when she saw me gnawing at the Calamares and Nachos.

I will, I haven't eaten dinner yet so I don't wanna induce further toxins in my body, not yet. I replied.

What do you want to drink anyway? She asked.

Let's see what they offer. In a bit though. Was my answer to her.

After snacking/binging/eating dinner, my cousin asked the menu from a waitress and handed it to me. I checked their offerings:

Bailey's? No, not today. Too creamy and strong tasting liquor.

Kamikazee? No, I don't feel like committing today.

Sex on the Beach? Let's see, I've done it in our house, in another person's house, in a condo, in a motel, in a public park, in a fire exit, and in a comfort room but not yet on a beach. No, not that one.

Blow Job? Hello. :)

After much deliberation and skepticism.

After much ado and postponement.

After much analyzing and figuring out on what to drink.

I selected something that wouldn't brand me as a weirdo.

I opted something that would balance out the machismo in the family.

I ordered something that would best represent who I am as a person of courage.

A drink that would make me feel a man in full virility.

An Artic Strawberry, please!

And take note, it was served in a wine glass. 

Wahahahahahaha!