The Fanatic in Me

I didn’t really think I am fanatic. I have favourite actors, artists, athletes and sportsmen and women, leaders – political and spiritual, author, etc. But my admiration revolves around watching their film or games, listening to their music, reading their books or anything they wrote – all done in a mild fashion and only in my spare time. Never did I realise that I have to follow their everyday lives – of course only what’s available on the net or paper.

I’ve went through phases of favourite people.

There’s Nicolas Cage. Seen some of his worth-watching (my opinion) flicks.

Luke Wilson. I used to have his photo on my office desk back in the Philippines.

Eric Bana. Oh, how Troy brought him to my senses. I’ve followed him all over the net for a time.

And many more. All of them fade in and out of my fancy. I still check them out sometimes.

But these are my new found “everyday click” people.

Roger Federer. My ex-boss/friend brought back home a magazine with Roger in the cover from the US and since then we shared notes about RF. I moved to Oz where people love sports so almost every tennis tour is aired even in free tv – I get to see him play every major tournament. I have yet to see Australian Open but as long as it is in Australia, I never loose hope that I might see him sometime. I check his website when I’m free almost everyday – followed his games and personal life. Although, I must admit that when Roger played the finals in the Australian Open against the Cypriot Marcus Bagdhatis, I rooted for the latter. Only because he was the underdog. Don’t we all care for the underdogs?

Jenifer Aniston. Friends was aired here and I seldom miss it. We have to be home by 6:30 weekdays – that even when I was already working. She’s not really my favourite in the show – as I like them all there. Then, Brad left him (that’s how I get it because he was with Jolie right away). In my mind, I have to care for this woman (in my own little way) because she needs it. She may not know it, I don’t mind. I’m happy with what I’m doing. I bought magazines with her in it – although I’m boosting the profits of the publishing company and even if what’s written is bordering on goss, it doesn’t bother me. I don’t claim that I know her from what I’ve read as they might bear the truth or might not. Stop explaining, you. I just care for her because for me she’s nice and it might be a point in her life when she needs somebody to pray for her. I pray for her sometimes that she’ll be happy. That’s what fans do, right?

And the latest.. drum roll, please!

Sarah Geronimo. I used to be her fan but not to the extent of what I am now. I just watched her segment in ASAP. End of story.

Now? It all started with me buying her movie AVSL during our holiday in RP. I soo soo soo like it – seen it more than 10 times. I spent countless hours on the internet looking for a free viewing of the sequel movie – YCML. And I did found one – yehey (although, they closed shop the last time I checked – what a shame as I have referred it to my friends, haha). YT provided hundreds of resources and materials for Sarah’s concerts, MTVs, guestings, ASAP clips and so many more. The other fans are so generous to share without fear that there might be copyright infringements. I check abs-cbn sites just to get titbit of news about Sarah as well as her fans’ sites almost everyday.

I confess, this is by far the extreme that I have done for the person that I look up to (I really want to say, I care for). I know this too shall pass like my other craziness and all the other things that we don’t want to expect that happened in our lives. For now, I’m on high! Adik!

Love

In my spare time I read books. It’s one of my hobbies that I can’t push back even if how busy I am. Books have always been my company – when I am alone and when I felt alone (this happened in the distant past).

Before I got my residency here in Oz, I always drag my husband to the 2nd hand book shop. Reading can be an expensive hobby but if you play your cards right, it doesn’t have to. I’ve just been buying seconds even when I was in the Philippines – you just have to give more time and effort looking for the latest published books.

When I got my “go signal”, I applied for a library card (it really didn’t occur to me to get my husband sign up in the local library for me). Since then, I’ve borrowed more than 200 books. I don’t go for just one genre – I have fiction, non-fiction, light, drama, heavy, etc.
And I’m currently reading “Love as a way of life” by Gary Chapman. I picked that book without knowing who Gary Chapman is. After reading a couple of pages, I found out that I read one of his books before, the Five Languages of Love. Although, I had not really digest that book.

The Five Languages of Love is sort of an idea, a fact, a lesson to teach us but it doesn’t explain how to show those languages and that’s how the “Love as a way of life” was born – that’s how I get it. The book for me is an action book. It has stories of a number of people who demonstrates those languages and the ways of showing love – not just for your partner but for everybody.

The book is my train-travel mate but it seems not appropriate to read it in public. Every time I open it and after reading a few pages, I always have to close my eyes, take a deep breath and try to contain my emotions and swallow back the tears. Sometimes, I really can’t stop a tear or two to pop out my eyes. It’s embarrassing to cry in public (or even to laugh if you are alone).

I read several books that have made impressions on me, that left footprints in my mind and heart but not too strong that I have not been actively practising or using it. Yet, “this book” is teaching me a lot already that I am practising it while I’m in the processing of reading it (process as it last for a week or two).

I don’t know how to make a credible book review and I’m not going to try now. All I want to say is if you have time go check out “this book”. You might find it as interesting as I do.