Thursday, August 24, 2006

On turning 36

This is an intermission on the Escritor series. I hate the verbosity of justices. The readings are killing me. Nonetheless, I break that series to post for the record that this week I'm officially 36 years old.

No big resolutions for me, except perhaps to follow the advice of 94 year old Raffy L., a client of mine, on how to live long. "Don't eat too much," he said as he munched a spoonfull of sisig over bottles of coke. If that is not expert advice, I don't what is.

Rizal died before the age of 36. Bonifacio died at the age of 34. So if both were to continue their lives today, I'd be older than them. I'd tell Rizal to work on his English and Bonifacio to brush up on Sun Tzu. This way Rizal can drive his translators out of business, and Bonifacio can find out how to win a revolution.

I used to regret that I did not become a rock star. But I'm thinking, on or about this age, rock stars fade away and become drug junkies. So if I became a rock star, I'd probably be hooked on cocaine by this time instead of coffee. I don't know which drug is better. But at least coffee is not illegal. Now, I can stop regretting. Although, I don't regret that I used to regret not becoming a rock star. I still hope that one of these days, I'd learn to play the blues scales.

A friend was president of a large chain of computer schools at this age, and another was head of a multi-billion government corporation and eventually became Secretary of Agriculture. Advising them on the legal side of things, I agonized when both will eventually get driven out of office shortly thereafter. But both were able to bounce back from their predicaments and head bigger organizations. They inspire me to carry on.

But every now and then, I think of building a farm, planting coconuts, raising goats, and working on food security. I sure could use a lot of those free time in between planting, tending the farm, and harvesting. My books are all works in progress, and this blog is perpetually behind. Certainly, slow clocks and wifi on the beach could make a lot of difference.

When I was 18, I thought that people aged 36 have less possibilities. They're closer to death, if not already dead, they have less talent and less employment options. But today at 36, I'm guessing maybe possibilities are just functions of imagination. Perhaps, age should be measured by one's capacity to imagine. My theory is if I could imagine my life many years hence, I am perpetually young. Ha ha! Have I discovered the fountain of youth?

Negative. Someday my body will break down and my imagination will turn to senile dementia. Imagination gives me hope. But to keep things intact at 36 and many years hence, no better way for me to live but on 94 year old Raffy's sage advice,

"Don't eat too much."

9 comments:

Punzi said...

Belated Happy Birthday pare!

May all our dreams come true...

SeƱor Enrique said...

Happy 36th, Marvin!

Just be true to your dreams whatever they may be :)

Anonymous said...

Hi. I'm 36 too and I think I need to follow Raffy's advice. BTW, Jesus Christ died at the age of 33. Planting coconuts... I would like to do that.

Happy Birthday!

Marvin Aceron said...

Punz, Senor Enrique, Toe,

Thanks for your comments.

Punz, I think we're still underage for the Executive Band.

cathy said...

happy birthday, marvin

Leah Navarro said...

May you have all you wish for, Marv! Buon Compleanno!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Marvin!

Regards to Ces and the kids.

RUMMEL PINERA said...

The impeachment process against the Arroyo presidency is over. But the search for the truth about the true outcome of the year 2004 presidential election must move on. Such is part of our democratic process. The peaceful and lawful struggle of our people to attain real and moral democracy will certainly move on..... The curtailment of the "search for truth on the genuine outcome of the year 2004 presidential election" has been solidified at the congress. But Mrs. Arroyo must still tell all the truths about such election. It is her presidency that is being questioned for the status of legitimacy. It doesn't matter how long will such "search for truth" must continue. Such a process will surely strengthen Philippine democracy. Such a process is a normal process for stabilizing democracy. The peaceful and lawful struggle to know all the truths about the real outcome of the year 2004 presidential election must move on.

I would have to address this letter to all progressive Filipinos out there:
PLEASE REQUEST MR. KOFI ANNAN TO RESIGN GRACEFULLY FROM

HIS POSITION AS SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE U.N. ORGANIZATION!




Dear Progressive Comrades,


I would like to propose to your organization/ state agency the idea that Mr.

Kofi Annan should now voluntarily resign from his current post as U.N. Secretary-

General. I would like to request your state agency/ organization to peacefully and

lawfully appeal to Mr. Kofi Annan to voluntarily resign from being the Secretary-General

of the U.N., and, after resigning from such position, convince his colleagues at the U.N.

headquarters to implement reforms that will truly democratize the whole structure of the

U.N. Organization. I believe that Mr. Annan has done great works for the U.N. Org

as the United Nations' Secretary-General. But his works at the U.N. Org didn't pave

the way for the United Nations' Organization to completely embrace democratic

procedures and processes. So, Mr. Kofi Annan should gracefully resign now from his

position as the U.N. Org's Secretary-General.


I hope that your state agency/ organization will also peacefully and lawfully

call for the democratization of the U.N. Organization. I would also like your state

agency/ organization to support the nomination of Miss Aung San Suu Kyi as the new

Secretary-General of the U.N.. Miss Aung San Suu Kyi is the most eligible person in

this world right now who can replace Mr. Kofi Annan as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Miss Aung San Suu Kyi's

ascension as the new Secretary-General would give the U.N. Organization's

democratization a better chance to succeed. Miss Aung San Suu Kyi is well-known

all over the world as a dedicated human-rights' campaigner and peaceful pro-democracy leader. I hope that your own state agency/

organization will support these proposals. Our group is called the LEAGUE OF

POLITICAL ABROGATIONISTS or the L.P.A.. Our group is advocating real, global and

moral democracy through peaceful and lawful means. Further details about our group

can be seen at this web page:

http://www.geocities.com/esabon/POLITICAL_ABROGATIONERS.html . Just click

such web page now to enter our web page. I hope that your state agency/ organization

will effectively support the mentioned proposals in this message. Thanks.


Sincerely,


RUMMEL PINERA

rummelp@yahoo.com

Jet said...

these were some really nice inrospection...

Belated happy birthday!j