Family – Page 36 – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

VII: The Start of Another Birthday Blues

Trigger warning: Depression. Please be advised.

Tonight my Father asked me how I was – something he rarely does. I replied, “I’m OK.”

Yes, that sounds like my default response, “I’m OK. I’m not happy. I’m not sad. I’m just OK.” But the truth is I lied. I’m sad. I’m depressed. I’m so depressed that I slept at 5am after gulping an ice-cold Jack and Coke while watching Batman: The Animated Series on Netflix. At one point in my binge-watching, I broke down and cried. The last time I felt this depressed was in 2019. (That’s a story for another time.)

And why am I depressed? It’s the birthday blues. Let me explain…

30-Minute Warning XII

I’m supposed to do a 10-Minute Warning post, but I’m so tired from all the walking today. Why am I tired? I checked all my possible birthday venues around Kapitolyo in 1 afternoon.

1st option: I found this bar that can accommodate 30 to 50 people, has an awesome menu, and offers an affordable bar guarantee. The problem is that there are other people who want to reserve the bar on my actual birthday, and I need to make a downpayment at least this weekend so I can reserve the bar right away.

Second option: I dropped by a venue where I celebrated my 31st birthday with my family and friends of my Mother. They have 2 event packages that I can afford (coughs): (1) the 2nd floor where they can accommodate a maximum of 30 people and (2) the alfresco where they can accommodate a maximum of 25 people. I remember having a great dinner there on the ground floor – probably one of the best birthday dinners I had so far. But here are my problems: I can hear the music from the ground floor, the 2nd floor looks less spacious, and the alfresco looks a bit lifeless.

Third option: Well… this is not part of the initial list. But there is this karaoke bar near Kapitolyo that can accommodate 30 people and it has almost the same bar guarantee as the 1st option. But I don’t think everyone on my guest list will sing there.

Speaking of guest lists, I’m starting to ask my friends if they are available on my birthday, and a few of them have replied already. And my choice of venue will depend on the number of people who will attend the party.

Anyway, after checking the venues, I went straight to Satchmi and had a spaghetti al pesto and iced tea. After a productive day and a great hangout at my favorite cafe, I feel tired but good.

But crap… I’m starting to feel anxious right now because of something… something that looked like I have done but I didn’t before going home… I need to relax.

Header image: PhotoMIX Company of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2022.

10-Minute Warning LXXXII

OK. Now I’m back on track – specifically, I’m back to planning my birthday party. And thanks to my Younger Brother, I’m considering a birthday party at… Jollibee. That’s right. The most popular chain of family-friendly fast food restaurants in the Philippines. We will see about that though. I still might end up having a party at my top option, Satchmi.

Anyway, how was my day at work today? It was productive. I finished sorting all the billings for this month and then printed them out. I will submit those billings tomorrow.

After work, my Younger Brother, cousin and I exercised at Three Trees, and then we walked a bit more nearby while we were talking about diet, our careers and my birthday plans. That’s when my Younger Brother brought up the Jollibee party idea. Once again, thank you for the suggestion, Younger Brother.

And time’s up.