Flag Raising

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm patriotic enough. Yes, I want to kill people, but on both sides."-- Jack Handey [Deep Thoughts]

My day started when I woke up at the sound of my cellphone beeping. RV was re scheduling our lunch for tomorrow instead. When I reached out to get my phone, I realized that it was another warm day. Okay, it's not warm. It's scorching. And for the few remaining people who don't have airconditioned rooms (our family seems bent on suffering during summer months), it makes for a nice excuse not to exercise because it's like living inside a sauna. Alas, it doesn't remove an ounce of fat. It only makes me thirsty.

I immediately swiped with my tongue on the gum space that the removed tooth occupied before. I believe I'm suffering from the incongruity of missing something when you already lost it syndrome. More painkillers. I think I'm becoming addicted to Dolfenal 500.

So, no lunch with my friend, scorching morning, and aching gums. Great. Thank God it's Friday. This is the life of a bum. I need to find some alternative means of generating some sort of income that doesn't involve transportation. That means home based business or online. Gah!

My mom and sister added salt to my wounded morning. They want us to watch 'Can This Be Love' at SM North. One major disadvantage of not having a job is that you can't bite the hand that feeds you. I can't say no to my Mom, even if I could.

And so, there I was, waiting for the movie to begin, when the national anthem was played. I counted at least ten people, yes ten! people who remain seated until it was over. And I thought I couldn't be more vexed today. They are not children who couldn't know, or they are not special people who needed reminding. No, they're full grown adults, some even kissing their girlfriends, or partners not even giving the National Anthem the proper respect.

I'm no patriot. But I am a Filipino and no matter what we say, or what they say about the deadly virues, diseases eating our society, it's BASIC respect to stand up during the National Anthem.

We ask a lot of our country. I daresay anyone who doesn't pay any amount of respect for it have no right whatsoever to complain. Ever.

End of discussion.