Misunderstanding Arrugas: Wrinkles vs Care

Roommie L and I caught Pelicula 2012 at Greenbelt 3 today, and we happened upon the 4.30 screening, Arrugas (Wrinkles). It's about 'a refined old man' named Emilio who is left in the care of an institute for geriatrics after his family finds his medical condition too difficult to handle. It's an animated film, and while at first I was worried that I wouldn't feel as though as I was watching a Spanish film - cinematic animation in my mind mainly being dominated by the Japanese  - by the end of the opening credits, I was properly intrigued. 

While the movie chooses to discuss something of - in my opinion - relatively little urgency, I think the state of  aging populations is just as relevant as, say, poverty. We in the Philippines honestly don't think of our old people the way I think Western and first-world civilizations think about theirs, so there shouldn't have been much reason for me to have been on the verge of tears, right? 

It isn't even about me thinking that Emilio's situation will be my life story in the future. That someday, after decades of working for my family, I will be 'abandoned' in a home for the aged, because 'the young have to keep living' free of 'burden'. It's more the feeling of, how many people live out the rest of their lives waiting for death? Aging isn't even a force that discriminates based on wealth, or looks, or how many people loved you in your lifetime. Aging is an inescapable equalizer, just like death.

Only sometimes, I think it's sadder.

It would have been nice to dance in the rain

Today I sort of dared myself. It's the first day-off I've had since early this semester, a complete day free of org work, urgent academic requirements, and hangovers. I decided it would be great if I could spend the whole day at home, like I used to, watching stock videos of Arashi or writing fanfiction, or downloading movies. But an hour into having no purpose, and I began to feel restless. Now I understand what Sakurai Sho means when he says his head aches when he has to stay at home.

I decided to take a stroll.

Metaphors and Other Mind-Fs

I shall admit I have been doing my best to have this blog contain things that might interest people other than myself. Not because I have the hidden desire of becoming an Internet celebrity - to be honest, my only dream in life right now is to become undeniably beautiful - but because I don't think it's fair to keep writing about self-absorbed things like my hair or my opinion on KevJumba only to have them published in the public domain.

I should utilize the power of mass media for the common good, my conscience whispers into my ear. But there is something I find remarkably comforting about writing circular thoughts in a circular manner, the way I used to fill this blog with utter quarter-life crisis nonsense before I began peppering it with Fake-stagramed photos.

It gets tiring, you know, trying to be someone you're not. But it's something I think everyone has to go through to become the people they have always envisioned themselves to be.

^ I have been experiencing grammar fail far too often today and yesterday. It is a sign that I have been neglecting my reading. Curse my finally developing "a life". There is barely time for anything that I used to love and enjoy with all my heart. The clock is always ticking.

I could always, I suppose, give up a bit of the time I devote to the pseudo-worship of Arashi. But that is non-negotiable.

And there they are - the circular thoughts in my circular manner. How I miss you, Old Self.