Wanted: Real People

As I was buying my favourite health drink at Shell, I chanced upon a few groups with their usual gatherings, open hoods and the like, it made me think of the Honda generation usually composed of the EG and EK platform with their usual B-Series engines, and now the K’s. I wa just wondering on how complete an enthusiast would be if he basically ran through all those cars and then basically now is driving a BRZ or an 86, a Skyline or an STI. How those that compare to a guy, who’s fortunate enough to be given an STI as his first car by his mom and dad. I wonder how a conversation would run through if you make these two people talk. Is it a case of shallowness, or how deep the roots run. How experience plays a huge factor, or the abundance or lack of knowledge. 

I was also browsing at some pics over the internet, and read about some short articles about Era-Period-Correctness. Its basically using the right parts for the car based on the time of manufacture. Say for example, if you’re building an EK9, its best to use a B16 rather than a K. Or Sw388s rather than a set of grey CR93’s. Or Ray’s ZE40’s on a BRZ or 86 rather than the Banana Type Wheels which look best on an AE86. Do you follow such? Or do you believe that upgrades and modifying transcend it. 

As I grabbed mirienda at Katipunan with my friend, a short discussion with her reminded me of the figures in this industry. On how others can be as flashy as they are at shows and events, but in reality have tons of financial troubles with them. Or maybe someone who relies heavily on his wife’s financial backing for his business but has the guts to text models and date them on the side. Or someone who displays all his purchases and new stuff over Facebook but issues you a bouncing check. Or maybe how often do you encounter individuals who only reward you with a smile or a greeting when you only bring them the cash that they need or basically when you buy from them. Rich kids who only take one year to buy something which you have been working for basically 9 years. The bragging which you find excusable since those are close friends, or that guy at Facebook who regularly rants and does never ending selfies with models and posts totally odd hashtags. As heavy and cash intensive as this industry is, its just like any other sector of society if you ask me. the cool cars, nice bags, young and beautiful women, the brilliant talk, the dazzling display of lights, the bass, cannot simply hide the basic-ness of it all. The background and instruments are different, but the players are all the same. So if you have a bunch of real people with you, especially in this industry, hold on to them with your dear life. 

A Social Experiment

A few days ago, Topgear posted a picture of mine on their Facebook Page to be viewed by their 700,000 Plus Followers. And you guessed it, haters are going to hate. It’s basically a random pic at my garage of a Jazz and an Impreza, creating a contrast of Green Cars Vs the Gas Guzzlers who often makes trio to the gas stations. 

If you follow my blog at jdmselect.blogspot.com aptly named Stay on the Left Lane, I have a couple of blogs that are about Haters. These are:

Hater Mentality

Connected More Than Ever

Leave Rice on the Table

For a long time I have been following the post by Top Gear and been an avid fan of the comments being posted in relation to the picture. I have often wondered how it feels to be in that centre spot, how it would feel to be hated, or being thrown negative comments on, something which does not happen to me ever primarily because I hate conflicts and consider them as an emotional baggage. I would often even see myself giving advice to my friends telling them to stay away from some troubles on the internet, or having a nasty 1one1’er at the forums or a certain Facebook thread. When people bash you in the internet, its just a wait-see thing actually. This is because you cannot be saviour-like and debate everyone, you’re only good as your handle, your prior posts showcasing your character and a few public pictures which everyone can fester on. 

But I have always wondered, because at the back of my head, I could finally complete my curiousness and even trump everything I have written about these haters by actually being there”hated”. Sometimes in life you have to experience a certain emotion to awaken something in you. May it be for motivation, pure curiosity, to keep you grounded or to simply “feel” what others could have felt. Its no different from dating, or going for a long stroll or even a hike. Probably a road trip, or going out of the country to find yourself, to be lost and finding your way in the end. 

By finally being at the centre or the hot seat, add to that, Top Gear even put a really aggressive caption by putting “Check out my Garage” which in the first place I know nothing about, it even added more fire to the comments being thrown at. 

My Social Experiment has finally come to a close through that final “thing”. I do think that no matter how much you write about something, if you haven’t experienced it first hand, everything is just mediocre. 

I do believe that each one of us has their “hater” gene. Its just that some are quick to react, or moulded and raised in a way that they can control it, while others on the other hand cannot. I know that everyone has their hater moment, this is dictated by our own upbringing, experience, standard in life, capability, buying power, standard, and educational achievement and background. I know a couple of people who hate B-Plated Cars, they have this certain discrimination against cars that are converted. The same goes for people who look upon a person’s school. I guess that extends to job applications and the like. Another would be a person who hates the fake stuff, as with my ex-girlfriend who owned 2 Channels, an LV, a Prada wallet, a couple of expensive shoes that I don’t remember anymore, she hated people with fake bags, or at least the ones who flaunt them as if their original. How about fake parts? I’m sure you know a couple or that can even be you. How about secretly hating the individual you never expected to be more successful than you are? Has that ever “secretly” crossed your mind and heart?

Hindi ba nagagalit din tayo sa mga pinuno ng ating bansa dahil mas magagara ang kanilang mga sasakyan at kasuotan kaysa sa atin? Na mayroon silang isang katutak na alalay kapag sila ay nasa labas, mall or kainan? Hindi ba may halong inggit din ang ating galit laban sa mga anak ng mga pulitiko na walang awat kung gumastos ng pera, ang karaniwang bukambibig natin ay “galing sa nakaw” Galit din tayo sa tayo sa pagbabago di ba po ba? Kung saan ang sistema ay hindi natin matanggap sapagkat tayo at nasanay na. Galit din tayo sa mga taong bumoto sa mga pinuno tulad ni Erap, Jinggoy, Aiko Melendez, Bistek at Bong Revilla. Ang tawag natin sa kanila ay masa, na para bang higit tayo mas nakakataas sa kanila bilang tao. Na ang binoto nila ay bobo din tulad nila. Alam ko marami din galit sa mga "rich kid" na madaling nakakahingi ng kahit ano sa kanilang mga magulang, kapital, pera, bahay, na kung saan tayo naman at hirap na hirap kumakayod nang mag-isa, ang tanging tangan ay ang ating "pride" bilang isang tao. 

Sunddenly I remembered my friend Mr. Law Go who had a heated argument with a guy from Honda Club. It turns out that those guys are siblings of my batchmate from college. We ended up meeting them at Alabang for an EK-Hatch meet back in 07 and well, you guessed it, they definitely are one of the warmest and kindest persons you can ever meet in the car club community. Oftentimes, a person's aura on the internet is total opposite of what he is as a person. Internet conflicts are resolved my simply meeting them in person.  

In every facet of life there is a hater, it cannot be avoided since each one of us has their aspirations. Its nearly impossible to be a noble as a saint after all. 

Riding the Wave.

It's a rainy evening here at the Ateneo, I just finished jogging. I'm waiting at the shed which overlooks Katipunan with the big Eagle symbol behind me. Its a joy hanging out here because you get to see how Katipunan has evolved over the years. The high rise buildings, the new and hip resto’s and of course the long standing Sweet Inspirations and Mcdo. I remember walking through Katipunan with the joy of holding a Coney Island Icecream and with Filbars in sight.

Do you actually take time to sit, relax and go through your memory? Does anyone actually do that? Do you really go through your memories through childhood with your yaya, or your gradeschool fights? Or the slide at the back of your schools, the spiders you caught during lunch time? Or the footlong and sago which you regularly ordered during lunch as you ate in the football field? The girl you’ve been crushing on perhaps? Or the time the tindero cursed you because you dropped your 1 peso coin in his full gallon of watermelon drink? The Math teacher your dreaded because he always kept you standing in the middle because you weren’t fast enough to answer the questions, or the Science teacher who somehow smelled the same as the mongo plants she was experimenting on. The Snes and Genesis Streetfighter nights, the phonecalls with the girlfriends and a lot more…

As I was headed here, I saw a group of bikers who were riding a particular style of long-slung bikes, like miniature cruisers, they had tattoo’s and were sporting long hair and matching shirt. Similarly, a group of rat-look EFs buzzed though me as I was making a U-turn. They too had that familiar hockey mask in their headrest and all the stickers resembling their counterparts from Japan. The 3^rd were skaters, passionate on their craft, they had their thrasher look getup. The cool-looking Vans matching each unique skateboard. I assume that each design is a reflection or their belief in life.

I couldn't help but admire these people. In a complex world wherein we are pushed each morning as we get up to meet deadlines, make profit and please people, these guys are breaking out of their mold and enjoying life. Life which is full of passion for the things they aspire for. That beyond all the obligations that father time has blessed us, they have something to focus on, to thrive on. It’s not merely being different, or having a hobby, or being an enthusiast. Its living IT. And living life. To put it bluntly, I think these guys as they ride together, they get this feeling that is unique and similar to a couple of surfers waiting for the next big wave. Think obout it.

I promise myself that my next road trip will be southbound. And I wont bring a Mac this time, only an Iphone (lol). No baon of paperworks and a very small zero star appartelle or Kubo to stay at with a wonderful view of the mountains or the ocean, the breeze blowing through my face and whispering a common word called “life” unto my ears.

Have a great week everyone. Keep safe! J