well, actually there's two houses, #105 and #108. I think these will go low on our priority list, as they offer no specific advantage over previous candidate dwelling #1 (the 3rd floor house). The only thing it has over the 'little house' (the one I live in now) is that these have floor tiles while mine is bare cement, and they have a 2nd floor.

But they require 2x the rent, and they're even farther away from the highway, so I'm iffy at best.

So today I went to the PLDT office where they made me sign a piece of paper that'd make them do a survey if the village where the 3rd floor place can accommodate the all-important DSL. Stupid company will charge you P2,700 'transfer fee' plus disconnect you 2-3 weeks while moving. They should rename that 'incompetence fee' because, really, why should I suffer 2-3 weeks of no connection if all they need to do is disconnect the 1st and connect the 2nd, which can probaby be done in one action?

Ach, whatever. Pending this, Candidate #2 aka 'the 3rd floor' is lookin' good.

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And here's a few pics of 'The Monster', which is what I've decided to call the long driveway - the better to aspire to beat it I suppose.

Last pic is the University itself. I used my phone cam so they're not all that great. I'll use Laszlo, my Canon Powershot next time.

Pics were taken around 6:30am today. No I cannot run the whole way yet. I think the only thing that's motivating me to even try is knowledge of the fact that I once could (and way much more so) - which if you think about it is a great reason to start kids early into sports and keeping in shape. If you try to get in shape when you're way older it'd be so much harder not knowing you had that ability once.

Anyway today is the 30th, which is like this last big nothing to do day in between Christmas and New Year. I can hear some neighbor's loud stereo and a bunch of kids walking about the streets. Did I say how peaceful and tranquil it is here? Even some neighbors left for their respective provinces, leaving me and neighbor beside me as the only houses occupied.

I think I'll go to Alabang today, to grocery and hook up with The Jill. Later.

This went on for 2 or 3 days until I could get back on my feet. Acclimatizing while dealing with a terrible cold and fever didn’t help of course, but at least the drugs kept me sleeping for the most part of it.

Jump to the next week, when it turns out the oatmeal that had comprised my breakfast during the time I was sick was near on top of the list of bad things for my gout, so guess what? By the time my fever was starting to subside my foot, in turn, reached a pain level constantly in the 8 to 9 range (where 10 is worst). It felt like glass splinters shooting up and down my leg and to top it off I could barely crawl let alone stand, so I had to make adjustments for doing simple things like crapping and taking a leak.

Once again Jill saved my ass for the 2nd time, taking care of me during the weekend until she had to attend to work. Ezel and Gerald however, were worried about me, and by the time Monday came along Ezel was having Ge text me to tell me if that I was just being shy, to knock it off, as they insisted on having me stay at their place. Maybe it was the Tramadol, but I never really thought I needed help. But I gladly accepted their generous offer anyway, noting the burn marks on my arm from trying to cook food and the unhampered availability of DSL and Cable TV.

I spent one full night and day there and by the time they took me back the next day I felt way better. Merely hobbling mind you, and can’t get very far that way either (it hurts after 20 meters or so), but quite on my way just the same, obviously thankful for a great many things.

I am obviously rich in friends. As I write this, the mere idea astounds me, and I am not a little taken aback.

I’ve taken a completely new opinion on what friendships are altogether. First off, there are people who exist who do not ask anything off me, and yet extend themselves in my favor generously. Obviously that’s not to say that I would offer anything of value, but I do not even have, to my belief, the ability of providing quality companionship, or a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen with. Many times I feel I’m just a grumpy old guy far too self important and engrossed in himself to provide anything of value to the world.

Anyway, its 12:11pm, and I’m the world of opportunity (for a hobbling and scrimping man that is), for the rest of my afternoon. Until proper internet comes (still using my phone), I’m as useless as a gay man in a harem.

I’ve finished with my daily reminders to PLDT to hurry their ass up and connect me, and am considering checking the NBS at Nuvali to see what’s there. I suspect the developers shoulder some of their cost just so as to have a bookstore (and some other fancy shops and places) get set up and situated in the middle of nowhere, and I’m feeling half inquisitive enough today to find out.