FACA in Memoriam

(author's note: these are thoughts evoked on my way home at the car backseat, watching some pink-violet backdrop passing by)

I do not know whom to quote but someone surely had theorized that death is introduced by your life's flashback - like a frame by frame review of memories handpicked by what is left of your nervous system…like a tribute of some sort to what was…like your very own 20 second movie, each segment climax worthy. I can only speculate how these flashbacks are chosen (will it be based on fondness, frequency or impact?) or presented (will it be fading in and out like a Flash Movie?). It is a shame that I can never write about it with certainty. A blog post about the last glimpse of life should be interesting, not mentioning a statcounter booster =)

Anyway here's my point, before you wonder how this blog's title is even relevant to its content… FACA has been my workplace for over a year now (since aug 1 '05). And from the time I first walked in there as the newly hired Web designer to the time I left it a while ago at 5:32 PM - so much has happened - more specifically, so much has changed. I don't even know where to begin in telling what changed - - - my work station, the people I work with, the tasks I handle, my payslip… The only consistency around that place is my tardiness and Manang's menu.

Actually, to be very honest, the growing number of empty seats around me is the only thing I pertain to when I mentioned change.

No more boss to tell me my color choice is poor, no more colleagues to tease me about my walk, no more seatmate laughing at my humongous eyebags, no more silly lunchouts and sillier thursday meets. Just me, my pc and the occasional conversation with an officemate that happen to pass by.

Surely I don't need telling that people come and go. I know that truth well enough. And I've also come to know that standing by the sidelines watching people come and go repeatedly is one of the saddest places in the world. Good thing, that you can shut your eyes or blog it out. And then feel a little better afterwards.

I thought of this list, my version of "flashbacks" of faca if faca were my only life. I would never want to forget any of these and so I am typing this down in memoriam.

~*~

(1) My first day - I was extra early 7:30am - so not me but it was so the first impression so I had to pretend I am punctual (hehe). Sir Emir gave me my first assignment - template for Mangan Restaurant, and my work, which took me 2 whole days to finish, was hideous beyond words. No arguing here. Hehe.

(2) Mini-Breaks - If there is one 4:30 break I remember avidly (not vividly, i dont remember the exact lines and who delivered it, just the punchline, natatawa pa din ako swear) it is this one:

(x-men III was showing)
James: Kung may superpowers ka ano gusto mo?
Kiko: Ako gusto ko nagiging invisible.
Jordan: Ako stop yung time.
Ley: Ako gusto kong power yung puede ko lagi malaman yung totoo from anybody. (parang sa charmed - truth spell, you could always extract the truth from someone)
James: ah kaya pag ako kalaban mo sabhin ko kaya kitang patayin tapos ikaw yung power mo nadetermine mo nagsasabi nga ako ng totoo tapos tira ko na weapons ko patay ka na. HAHAHA! (laughing minutes)
Ley (scratched head): onga noh, sige yung mabilis na rin tumakbo. =p

(3) Nahulog ko yung 2 hard drives sa timba. - One of my first ever bloopers. I can still feel my heart thumping the second I realized that I accidentally shoved two gray and important pc equipment into a pail half filled with water. I cursed so loud by reflex. Buti na lang talaga busted na yung hard drives. Kung hindi, this list must have stopped right here and I was long gone. Hehehe.

(3) My birthday - Sabay with Melvin's. We went to Gerry's Jupiter for Dinner then videoke at IO. =) Memorable yung Mr. Suave ni Kiks and Carpenter Songs ni Cath. Saka yung new pants ni melvin.

(4) Christmas laid-back season - I love the Ber months! They are the slack season at faca (at least they were in 2005). We'd be taking lunch as early as 11 drive to Glorietta and won't be back til 2. No worries when your companions include the bosses. Heheh.

(5) Daily Picture-Picture - This started with Sir E's Olympus. We'd take pictures of everybody in every angle and perspective possible. Especially when faca was renovated and painted with these matte colorful walls, ay naku wala ng work work, pose and click pose and click na lang. FACT: Our pictures took 4 CD's space. No kidding.

(6) That Saturday when we scheduled Palm Beach. This is the only Saturday I remember waking up early. I remember feeling so excited packing up and boarding the revo. I remember feeling happy being in a beach place with friends. =)

(7) Videoke nite at house - this is one of the unplanned's. Last day ni Kiko and we decided at whim to go to my place and hold our very own mini concert. Saya sa gazebo =) It felt like I have 6 rocker brothers/dancing drunkards/fun machine friends =) It was a blast.
(8) First day to teach - I was feeling nervous as usual, but Cat stayed until the PM half to accompany me (ok nag burn din sia ng cds) but still, it meant a lot =) Dun din si Dennis, Harvey and Jords. I don't know how I survived that day but I did. Thanks to 4 thoughtful friends and 1 bilao of Pancit Palabok. FYI: I remember coming out of the classroom feeling contented with what I did - - - something very rare after I talk or even stand before a crowd. =)

20 second flashback is up.

~*~

I have never planned to leave faca by choice. I've always thought that if it will happen, it will be out of circumstances I've always known are coming. But I don't know. I still enjoy Web design, I even fell in love with teaching it and I still don't mind the so-so pay…but some days, I wish I don't need to sit beside empty seats and notice once again that I'm still at the sidelines.

I have a template to finish tonight and tomorrow is another day of a busier me and a quieter faca. I may not be as happy as before but I'm still thankful that I am where I am, doing what I am doing.